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§ New-entrant audit — Alabama

The new-entrant safety audit in Alabama

The FMCSA new-entrant safety audit works the same way in Alabama as everywhere else: it is a federal program. Every new Alabama interstate motor carrier is monitored for 18 months and undergoes a safety audit of the six factors (General, Driver, Operational, Vehicle, Hazardous Materials, and Accident), generally after at least 3 months of operation. What is specific to Alabama is intrastate registration, handled by the state.

When does the new-entrant audit happen for a Alabama carrier?

After a new entrant satisfies its pre-operational requirements, it is subject to new-entrant safety monitoring for 18 months, and a safety audit is conducted once it has operated long enough to have sufficient records — generally at least 3 months (49 CFR 385.307).

What does the audit check?

The same six factors evaluated in every state: General (Parts 387, 390), Driver (Parts 382, 383, 391), Operational (Parts 392, 395), Vehicle (Parts 393, 396), Hazardous Materials (Parts 171, 177, 180, 397), and Accident (recordable rate per million miles). This grouping is defined in 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 385.

What is specific to Alabama?

Alabama intrastate matters are handled by the Alabama Public Service Commission — Motor Carrier Applications & Forms. These are separate from the federal new-entrant audit.

  • Intrastate reg required: Yes — a certificate or permit (intrastate operating authority) from the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) is required for any for-hire carrier transporting passengers or property between two points within Alabama for compensation. Alabama issues APSC B-2 Vehicle Registration Numbers rather than a separate state DOT number.
  • UCR: Applies to interstate carriers only; Alabama is a UCR participating state. Purely intrastate carriers are not subject to UCR. Smallest bracket (0-2 vehicles): $46.00 for both the 2025 and 2026 registration years.
  • State fee: $100.00 certificate/permit application filing fee + $6.00 per vehicle for B-2 Vehicle Registration Numbers. Payment by cashier's check or money order only (no cash, personal, or company checks).
  • Insurance / forms: Must file and maintain proof of liability insurance (Form E filing plus Form H from the insurer); property and household-goods carriers must also maintain proof of cargo insurance. Intrastate-only carriers file a Form B-2 application to obtain Vehicle Registration Numbers.

Common questions

What does a new motor carrier need to register and operate in Alabama?
A new Alabama-based for-hire motor carrier operating between points within the state must obtain intrastate operating authority (a certificate or permit) from the Alabama Public Service Commission, which costs a $100.00 filing fee plus $6.00 per vehicle for B-2 Vehicle Registration Numbers; carriers running interstate must also pay the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fee, which is $46.00 for a 0-2 vehicle fleet in both 2025 and 2026.

Prep your own new-entrant audit

The CarrierReady Audit-Prep Kit gives you fillable templates mapped to all six factors — driver qualification files, a written maintenance program, a drug-and-alcohol testing policy, an accident register, and a document-by-document checklist.

See the kit

Primary sources

CarrierReady is an independent audit-preparation tool — not legal advice, and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the FMCSA or any government agency; always verify against the official regulations at ecfr.gov.